[A] Whoso loveth instruction [1] A person who loves discipline or correction, loves knowledge [2] Correction and discipline is the way to knowledge. [a] Unless someone is willing to be corrected they will never learn [b] To learn someone must have lots of personal discipline, and must be willing to suffer in order to learn.

[B] But he that hateth reproof is brutish [1] He that hates reproof is the same as a brute, [2] He expects no more benefit from correction than the ox does from the goad

Proverbs 12:2 2. A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

[A] A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD [1] First, it is God who makes a man good [a] Every child of Adam is bad untill the grace of God changes his heart [2] Secondly, while he walks in the path of obedience he increases in goodness, and consequently in the favour of the Lord. [3] A good man has favor with God, for he treats his fellow man like he himself desires to be Treated [a] He loves his neighbor [b] He goes out of his way to help others [c] He is at peace with God and man

[B] A man of wicked devices will he condemn [1] A wicked man loves only himself and the things of the world [2] He has no time for God or his fellowman [3] He does not find favor with God, instead God will condemn him.

Proverbs 12:3 3. A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

[A] A man shall not be established by wickedness [1] A wicked man may become rich [2] A wicked man may own property [3] A wicked man may have many servants and many working for him [4] On earth he may seem to be well established, [5] Yet his whole life and everything it is built on shifting sand [a] When trouble comes, he has nothing to see him through - unless it is something money can buy [b] When he is lying on his deathbed, he has nothing [c] When he closed his eyes in death, everything he has gained in his wickedness will be left for others to fight over

[B] The root of the righteous shall not be moved [1] The wise man builds his house on the rock [a] He is concerned about laying up treasures in heaven [b] He is concerned about being assured that his house in all in order and he is ready to meet Jesus when he comes [2] When the storms of life come against the wise righteous man, [a] He will call out to Jesus for help [b] He will stand firm in faith [3] When he is on his deathbed [a] He can smile knowing he has done all he needs to do [b] He can be satisfied knowing he is secure in God’s love [4] When he closed his eyes in death [a] He receives his ticket to heaven [b] He receives his reward - eternal live [c] He leaves nothing behind, because his treasure is waiting for him in heaven [5] The righteous is anchored to Jesus Christ

Proverbs 12:4 4. A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

[A] A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband [1] For a righteous man, there is nothing more special than having a virtuous woman [2] Because of her virtue, and her righteousness, he is assured of having a faithful spouse who will be his helpmate as God intended her to be [a] She will be a good wife [b] She will teach their children well [c] She will be a model to other women [d] She will honor her husband [3] Her character and virtue are like a crown, the husband is proud and pleased

[B] She that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones [1] On the other hand, imagine a righteous man, married to an unrighteous woman [2] Her lack of virtue is a pain to him [3] Her lack of virtue is like rottenness to his bones [a] He is ashamed to be seen with her [b] He is ashamed to be around her [c] He does not want her to influence his children [d] He feels he is a failure

Proverbs 12:5 5. The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

[A] The thoughts of the righteous are right [1] The righteous may not have as much education, might not have all the titles the wicked hold, but they have something the wicked does not have. [a] They have the Holy Spirit directing their paths [b] They have the knowledge of God in their heart [c] They have truth flowing through them [d] If they don’t know they will tell you, than they will search the answer for you [2] When a righteous person is asked, he or she will try to use the word of God to answer you [a] There is no other knowledge we need to here than this [b] The word of God has answers for all of life’s problems. [3] The righteous seeks the help of God, and gives godly advice

[B] The counsels of the wicked are deceit [1] It is the wicked who are so often asked for advice [2] So many of the people working as counselors and advisors are not righteous or even Christian [a] Their advice comes for what others teach them [b] It is often based on Men of old, but rarely on what the bible says [c] They usually discredit the bible and those who believe it. [d] The counsel of the wicked is based on the world instead of God

Proverbs 12:6 6. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

[A] The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. [1] The wicked tell you many things much of which is useless [2] They counsel to gain money, make you come back often for more [3] They are not out to help you, they are out to help themselves

[B] The mouth of the upright shall deliver them [1] There is two types of counseling [a] Regular counseling [b] Biblical counseling [2] There are two types of people doing regular counseling [a] Non-Christians [b] Christians [3] Non-Christian counselors are going to tell you what Froyd and the great Psychologist of the past had to say [a] Likely all your problems come from your mom and dad [b] You were supposed to be a man but were born a woman [c] God does not exist, only man can help [4] Christian Counselors, use the same methods, they just go to church and profess Christianity when it suits them [5] Biblical counseling is what a righteous man wants. [a] A biblical counselor used the bible to counsel [b] Hr or she understands that sin is the underlying problem in ones life [c] Get rid of sin, the problem gets better [d] Retain the sin, and the problem gets worse [e] Sin is the culprit behind many mental problems [f] The consoler has to get the person to accept their sin, confess it and change their life

Proverbs 12:7 7. The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

[A] The wicked are overthrown, and are not [1] When one’s house is built on sand it is apt to fall [2] If the wicked does not fall here on earth, they will fall when they leave

[B] The house of the righteous shall stand [1] The righteous build their house on Jesus Christ [2] It will stand regardless

Proverbs 12:8 8. A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

[A] The best reputation is that which attends virtue and serious piety, and the prudent conduct of life [1] A man shall be commended by all that are wise and good, in conformity to the judgment of God himself, which is according [2] The wise man shall be loved, for the wisdom he gives others is good

[B] He that is of a perverse heart shall be despised [1] The worst reproach is that which follows wickedness and an opposition to that which is good: [a] He that is of a perverse heart, that turns aside to crooked ways, and goes on on in them, shall be despised. [b] Providence will bring him to poverty and contempt, and all that have a true sense of honour will despise him as unworthy to be dealt with and unfit to be trusted, as a blemish and scandal to mankind.

Proverbs 12:9 9. He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

[A] The Vulgate is translated as such [1] "Better is the poor man who provides for himself, than the proud who is destitute of bread."

[B] There are some who, through pride of birth, &c., would rather starve, than put their hands to menial labor. [1] Though they may be lords, how much to be preferred is the simple peasant, who supports himself and family by the drudgery of life!

Proverbs 12:10 10. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

[A] A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast [1] A righteous man looks after his animals [2] He respects life, all life because God made the beast as well as man

[B] The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel [1] The wicked care not for nothing [2] There beast is just that a beast, a tool nothing to be respected or cared for